International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

HYPNOSIS AND RECOVERED MEMORY 105
From this client's point of view, hypnosis was a key factor in her improvement,
because it allowed her to `remember and share intimate details very quickly'
Smith, 1996, p. 124). Notably, however, Cindy made no effort to corroborate her
hypnotically retrieved memories of the events at the neighbour's house. Indeed,
Smith 1996) acknowledged that `in the absence of external veri®cation, there is no
way to know whether Cindy's memories are authentic or not. They seemed
compellingly real to her and to me, but from a scienti®c standpoint, ``seeming'' real
is not con®rmation' p. 124). Nevertheless, these memories, whether accurate or
inaccurate, appeared to offer a plausible explanation for Cindy's symptoms, and
served as a useful and ultimately successful `therapeutic leverage for recovery'
Smith, 1996, p. 124).
In commenting on this case, Lynn, Kirsch & Rhue 1996) argued that such
memory recovery work can be a gamble, and that clinicians must consider both
the risks and bene®ts of using hypnosis to recover memories; indeed, the
emotional, societal, legal, and ®nancial stakes can be very high in such cases.
Further, Lynn, Kirsch & Rhue 1996) offered a number of recommendations to
help clinicians decide whether the `bene®ts of attempting to access potentially
forgotten life experiences outweigh the potential risk of distorted memories'
p. 404). These include warning the client about the risk of memory distortion,
exercising caution regarding the wording and implications of therapeutic suggestions,
and evaluating the credibility of memories recovered during therapy. Such
recommendations underscore the need for appropriate guidelines to assist in
ensuring clinical practice is based on reasonable evidence and is consistent with
acceptable standards.
GUIDELINES FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
Across a range of theoretical and therapeutic orientations, there is agreement
about the need for evidence-based practice in the treatment of individuals who
have or may recover memories of childhood abuse Beutler & Hill, 1992; Bowers
& Farvolden, 1996; Courtois, 1995; Enns, McNeilly, Corkery & Gilbert, 1995;
Fowler, 1994; Lindsay & Read, 1994; Knapp & VandeCreek, 1996; Lynn & Nash,
1994; McConkey, 1997; Pope, 1996; Pope & Brown, 1996). To help in this regard,
various statements and guidelines are available from professional bodies American
Medical Association, 1994; American Psychiatric Association, 1993; American
Psychological Association, 1994; Australian Psychological Society, 1994;
British Psychological Society, 1995) as well as from individuals Bloom, 1994;
Bowers & Farvolden, 1996; Lynn, Kirsch & Rhue, 1996; McConkey & Sheehan,
1995; Pope & Brown, 1996; Knapp & VandeCreek, 1996; Yapko, 1994). At a
general level, Bowers & Farvolden 1996) highlighted two essential points, no
matter what problem is being treated or what technique is being used. They
argued that clinicians should not de®ne healing in terms that require themselves